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Local toy store disappearing unless... |
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Thursday, 28 August 2008 |
Learning Express goes up for auction on eBay
By Stacey Powells
Mammoth Times Staff Writer
 Learning Express Toys will have to close its doors unless owner Kara Gordon finds a suitable owner. The store is going up for auction on eBay.MAMMOTH TIMES PHOTO/STACEY POWELLS
Kara Gordon and her family bought Learning Express Toys three years ago when the Lloyds were going to close it. “The Mammoth community loved the store and I didn’t want to see it close,” Gordon said. “I’ve really enjoyed having this store.”
Because her husband's job keeps him in Southern California and the Gordons have to be out of town much of the time, they have to sell Learning Express Toys. “I haven’t been able to maintain the store like it needs to be maintained,” Gordon said. “The store needs a local owner. It needs someone who can be there on a regular basis working with the staff and customers.”
Gordon says Learning Express Toys is a wonderful place to work because of the clientele. “We love to see the locals who come in as well as the visitors from all over the world. The store meets the needs of the community. There’s no other store like it in town.”
To sell the store, Gordon put her creative mind to work and decided to auction off the store to the highest bidder starting at $20,000 plus inventory. “This is a great price and I want to give someone local the opportunity to own their own business,” Gordon said. The auction will be a private auction for all pre-qualified buyers and be held online on eBay. Gordon knows the process and will help all qualified buyers with the process. “If buyers are not already familiar with eBay, I promise it will be fair and very easy to do.”
The winner would also need to negotiate a new lease with the Mammoth Luxury Outlet Mall and if they didn’t want to stay in that location, they would be free to move elsewhere. “I highly recommend staying at the Mammoth Luxury Outlet Mall. It’s a great location,” Gordon said.
Gordon feels it’s very important to keep this store open in Mammoth. “This is the only store for kids and families in Mammoth. It’s one of a kind.” Locals love the Birthday Box program and all of the other free services. Kids come and play at the train table, play games of Pentago or Blokus and even scoot around in a demo car. “Visitors come back year after year. They love the variety and the quality of the products we carry.”
With Munchkins no longer in town, Gordon feels the new owner of Learning Express Toys could expand with a line of clothing for children as well as implementing kids’ parties and movie nights. “There are so many activities a new owner could do for the community,” Gordon said.
Learning Express Toys carries Lego items, Hello Kitty, Thomas the Train, Webkinz, Crocs, Jibbitz, games, puzzles, science items, jewelry, pool toys, clothes and much more. If interested in participating in the auction, contact Kara Gordon directly at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or (626) 905-9100. The auction will take place in approximately 45 days.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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